
"The first year has shown impressively that professional football training for young talents can be optimally combined with the individual needs of the children and their families in this way," said Simon Rolfes, Managing Director Sport at Bayer 04. "We will continue to pursue this innovative path consistently. The next logical step is therefore to expand the locations in order to discover and train the best players in these new regions and to retain them at Bayer 04 at an early stage."
Familiarisation training for the Büderich and Wuppertal squads began in September and will take place at the respective locations. The official teams from these two locations will then compete in the 2026/27 season.

About the project Bayer 04-Future Kids:
As part of the project launched in September 2024, Bayer 04 is setting up regional locations for young footballers in the U8 to U10 age groups, where the children will be trained by qualified Bayer 04 coaches. This provides the optimum combination of footballing development of young talents and the individual needs of the children and their families, reduces the time required due to short journeys and significantly increases the quality of training on site. In addition, the concept guarantees a commitment from the club for at least three years up to U10 level in order to create security and reliability for the children and their families.
Further information on the Bayer 04-Future Kids project can be found HERE.
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Bayer 04 have transferred U19 midfielder Emmanuel Chigozie Owen to FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended youngster Montrell Culbreath's contract once again. Having only signed a deal with the Bundesliga club until 30 June 2030 in January, still as an U19 player, the attacking midfielder, who's since established himself in the first-team squad, has penned a new contract valid until 30 June 2031. Culbreath joined the Werkself academy in 2023 and made 16 first-team appearances in the 2025/26 season in the Bundesliga, DFB Pokal and Champions League, scoring one goal.
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Ecuador international Piero Hincapie, who moved to Arsenal FC on loan from Bayer 04 Leverkusen for the 2025/26 season, will join the English champions permanently on 1 July 2026.
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The date and kick-off time for Bayer 04’s match in the first round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal have been confirmed. The Werkself face SV Wehen Wiesbaden on Saturday afternoon, 22 August, at 13:00 CEST. The German Football Association (DFB) announced this today, Wednesday. The Pokal tie against the Hessen state cup winners will be played at the BRITA Arena. Ticket information to follow at a later date.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro will lead a club delegation to Brazil from July 2-6 for a program of partner engagement, community activities and football development initiatives across São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
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